Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 11: Reviewing Fantasy Football's Top Fringe Starters

Need to make a push into your league's fantasy football playoffs? Well, there isn't a ton of time left. While the NFL regular season lasts 18 weeks, the majority of fantasy leagues have a 14-week regular season and then use Weeks 15-17 as the playoffs.

Some fantasy teams are cruising and a sure thing to make the postseason. Other fantasy managers are scrambling, trying to navigate injuries and bye weeks while also needing to pick up a few wins over the next few weeks in order to extend their season.

For that to happen, those managers can't have players putting up big point totals from the bench or posting miniscule totals in the starting lineup.

With that in mind, here's some start/sit advice for several fringe flex players for Week 11.

Start 'Em: Brian Robinson, RB, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Commanders ran the ball 49 times in their Week 10 upset win over the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles. It wouldn't be surprising if Washington had a similar game plan in Week 11, when it will again be on the road when it faces the Houston Texans.

Unlike the Eagles (8-1), though, the Texans (1-7-1) are not playing well this season. They have the worst run defense in the NFL, allowing a league-high 181.8 rushing yards per game. They are also giving up the most fantasy points to running backs per game, per NFL.com.

Because of that, Antonio Gibson isn't the only Washington RB worthy of starting consideration this week. Fantasy managers should also feel confident putting Brian Robinson into lineups, as both are likely to have some success in this matchup.

The 23-year-old rookie was a workhorse in Philadelphia on Monday night, when he had 26 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown. He may be averaging only 3.3 yards per attempt this season, but he's getting a ton of volume.

Robinson is also a powerful back, which bodes well for him when Washington gets to the red zone.

Sit 'Em: Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) runs with the ball against the New York Jets during an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

The Patriots' most recent game (a Week 9 win over the Indianapolis Colts) marked the first time since their season opener that Jakobi Meyers didn't record either 60 yards or a touchdown.

The 26-year-old had gotten into the end zone three of the previous four weeks, and he had been putting up some solid yardage totals before notching five catches for 42 yards in that contest.

That one subpar showing isn't the reason Meyers should be sat this week, though. Instead, it's because New England has a challenging home matchup against the New York Jets, and their defense has emerged as a strong unit in the 2022 season.

It's possible the NC State product will get covered consistently by rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner, who has already proved he's up to the task of shutting down strong wide receivers. Plus, both of these AFC East teams have strong defenses, so this may not be a high-scoring affair.

Meyers could end up with plenty of targets, so he may still put together a decent performance in points-per-reception formats. But he shouldn't be started in standard leagues.

This isn't a good matchup for the playmakers on a Pats offense that hasn't been too dynamic this year.

Start 'Em: Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney heads for the end zone after catching a pass for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kadarius Toney didn't make much of an impact in his Chiefs debut, recording only two catches for 12 yards in a Week 9 win over the Tennessee Titans.

However, the wide receiver was more involved in Week 10, when he had four receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown (his first of the season) in a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

There's a good chance Toney will have another solid showing in Week 11. Kansas City is hosting the Los Angeles Chargers for an AFC West clash on Sunday night, and it could be a high-scoring matchup with plenty of offense from both sides.

Plus, the Chiefs' receiving corps is a bit banged up at the moment. JuJu Smith-Schuster entered the NFL concussion protocol after exiting the Week 10 win in the second quarter, while Mecole Hardman missed the game due to an abdominal injury.

If Kansas City is without those playmakers this week, Toney should see even more targets, which will give him more opportunities to make big plays.

So, feel confident relying on the 23-year-old as a flex play for Week 11, especially if Smith-Schuster and/or Hardman are inactive.